System for Mounting an Abrasive Tool to a Drive Plate of Grinding and Polishing Machines

ABSTRACT

Thus, according to one aspect, the invention provides a system for mounting an abrasive tool to a drive plate of a polisher or grinding tool, the system comprising: an intermediate element mounted to a surface of the drive plate via a first securing means; and a second securing means for securing the abrasive tool to the intermediate element. The intermediate element may be a tool mounting plate and the second securing means is at least one pin and spring assembly. The intermediate element may be a ring and the second securing element comprises magnets and pins. The intermediate element may be a circular bracket and the second securing element comprises rotary slot attachment.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/687,953, now pending, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/144,923 filed Jan. 15, 2009, bothincorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to grinding and polishing machines. Morespecifically, the present invention relates to a system to changebetween multiple abrasive tools on grinding and polishing machines.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known in the art that grinding and polishing machines usesmultiple grinding and polishing tools or abrasive tools. And quite oftenit is necessary to change between tools. There are very slow methodsthat involve bolting each of several grinding plates to one or manydrive plates on grinding and polishing machines. Changing tools can takeas much as 20 minutes. There are also various proprietary quick-changesystems that are only available on select equipment. Many systems aredifficult if not impossible to adapt generically.

Grinding and polishing machines have a drive plate on the bottomthereof. Attached thereon are the grinding and polishing tools, which istypically an abrasive material. In prior art systems, the abrasivematerial is typically mounted right on the drive plate, which makes itdifficult to replace without replacing the drive plate as well. Thisreflects on cost and time consumption.

In particular, Werkmaster™ machines use multiple abrasive tools thatrequire specific tool drive plate sizes that are unique to theWerkmaster™ machines. As there are several different models each withits own plate size this requires all the tooling to be made in each ofthese sizes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed is a system for efficiently changing the tools on the driveplate of a grinder or polishing machine. A system in accordance with theteachings of the present invention uses an intermediate element to whichthe tools are mounted. This arrangement is then mounted to the driveplate.

Thus, according to one aspect, the invention provides a system formounting an abrasive tool to a drive plate of a polisher or grindingmachine, the system comprising: an intermediate element mounted to asurface of the drive plate via a first securing means; and a secondsecuring means for securing the abrasive tool to the intermediateelement. The intermediate element may be a tool mounting plate and thesecond securing means is at least one pin and spring assembly. Theintermediate element may be a ring and the second securing elementcomprises magnets and pins. The intermediate element may be a circularbracket and the second securing element comprises rotary slotattachment.

There are many advantages in using a quick change system in accordancewith the teachings of this present invention. The uniqueness of thepresent invention allows for adaptation to a variety of different typesof machines. The system in accordance with the teachings of thisinvention is at least as fast and in most cases faster than othersystems for changing tools. It also provides a more stable, lesscomplicated and more reliable functioning of the tools than most othersystems. A system in accordance with the teachings of the presentinvention works very quickly without having complicated designs andparts. As importantly, it facilitates the use of one standard tool sizefor several sizes and weights of equipment making it a great deal moreefficient. The cost of manufacturing is reduced because there is no needfor replacing the whole head plate, but just the segments. There is alsoa possibility to quickly change a defective segment or even add moresegments on the same plate for more aggressive work. It also providesthe ability to custom balance the machine due to the irregularities ofthe surface being worked on.

Embodiments of the invention are specifically designed for use withWerkmaster™ grinding and polishing machines.

Other aspects and advantages of embodiments of the invention will bereadily apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon a review ofthe following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGS. 1 a and 1 b illustrate one embodiment of a quick change system inaccordance with the teachings of this invention;

FIGS. 2 a, 2 b and 2 c illustrate a spring assembly that can be used inthe quick change system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 d illustrates a wire form spring used in the spring assembly ofFIG. 2 a;

FIGS. 3 a, 3 b 3 c and 3 d illustrate an assembled tool mounting platethat can be used in the quick change system of FIG. 1, showingpreferable dimensions;

FIGS. 4 a, 4 b and 4 c illustrate the tool mounting plate of FIG. 3without pins and some preferable dimensions;

FIGS. 5 a, 5 b, 5 c illustrate a pin that can be used in the quickchange system of FIG. 1 and some preferable dimensions; and

FIG. 6 a illustrates another embodiment of a quick change system inaccordance with the teachings of this invention;

FIGS. 6 b and 6 c show possible dimensions that can be used with theembodiment of FIG. 6 a;

FIG. 6 d illustrates a drive plate that can be used with the embodimentof FIG. 6 a;

FIG. 6 e illustrates the embodiment of FIG. 6 a mounted to a Werkmaster™polisher or grinding tool;

FIG. 6 f illustrates another embodiment;

FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of a quick change system inaccordance with the teachings of this invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment where the tool mounting plate isscrewed to the drive plate; and

FIG. 9 illustrates another embodiment of a quick change system inaccordance with the teachings of this invention.

This invention will now be described in detail with respect to certainspecific representative embodiments thereof, the materials, apparatusand process steps being understood as examples that are intended to beillustrative only. In particular, the invention is not intended to belimited to the methods, materials, conditions, process parameters,apparatus and the like specifically recited herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS

Disclosed in accordance with the teachings of this present invention isa quick change system to change the polishing or grinding tool for apolisher or grinding machine. The tool can be any suitable tool orabrasive material, such an abrasive diamond in various matrices,sandpaper, Velcro-backed polishing pads, etc. A drive plate is locatedon the bottom of the polisher or grinding machine. Embodiments of thisinvention provide an efficient way to attach at least one tool to thedrive plate. Embodiments of this invention use an intermediate elementbetween the drive plate and the abrasive tool. A securing means is usedto fasten the abrasive tool to the intermediate element and a secondsecuring means is used to fasten the intermediate element to the driveplate.

In general, embodiments of the invention have been designed to work onWerkmaster™ machines. Werkmaster™ machines use multiple grinding headsthat required specific tool plate sizes that are unique to theWerkmaster™ machine. As there are several different models each with itsown plate size this required all the tooling to be made in each of thesesizes. In order to simplify this requirement it was decided to go to amodular type tooling where one size fits all the different models anddrive plate sizes. As there were height and plate size restrictions foreach Werkmaster™ machine it necessitated designing a unique tool andplate assembly that would facilitate all these restrictions for eachmodel. There are other modular type tool systems available on the marketnone of which could be adapted to the Werkmaster™ machines. Embodimentsof the invention used on a Werkmaster™ machine reduces the need formultiple tool sizes for each model as well as greatly reducing the timerequired to change tools in many instances.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, in one embodiment, the abrasive tool 10 ismounted to a tool mounting plate 14, which is mounted to the drive plate12. The present inventors faced a problem of how to mount the toolmounting plate 14 to the drive plate 12. The present inventors triedscrewing the tool mounting plate 14 to the drive plate 12, as seen inFIG. 8. However the inventors found that the time needed to replace thetool mounting plate 14 became longer.

Then the inventors tried another system using a small chamfered tailextruded from the bottom of the tool mounting plate and slides into adesignated negative groove on the head using centrifugal forces keep theplate from sliding back. With this idea the time needed for replacementwas shortened but the cost of manufacturing and material of the tool,and the cost for the modifications of the drive plate, were too high.Plus there was a risk of the tool falling since there was nothingholding it securely to the plate except the groove.

The inventors then tried using brackets 90 angled at 25° bolted to thedrive plate 12 to prevent the tool mounting plate 14 with tool 10thereon from sliding back by a small spring steel mechanism 92 (seen inFIG. 9). But the complexity of manufacture was still too great. Plusthere was an issue with the removing of the tool mounting plate 14 fromthe drive plate 12, since it required additional tools.

The inventors then tried a drop and slide pin system. However, alignmentand precision of manufacture became an issue.

The inventors then discovered a system that worked effectively and canbe manufactured efficiently, as seen in FIGS. 1 to 5. Broadly, thesystem affixes the tool mounting plate 14 to one surface of the driveplate 12 using at least one pin and spring assembly 95. Precisely sizedpins 18, made from D.O.M. steel engineered with a spring-type washer 24made from steel affixed to a shaped tool mounting plate 14 with abrasivetool 10 secured to the surface. The spring-type washer 24 fits intogroove 99 of pin 18 and allows for easy insertion and removal from apolisher or grinding machine, including a Werkmaster™ grinding orpolishing machine.

Two pins 18 are welded on the back 20 of the tool mounting plate. Thepins 18 drop into holes 22 in the drive plate 12 and are held by wireform springs 24. The tool mounting plate 14 is cut out of sheet metalwith two holes 98 to accommodate the two pins 18. The abrasive tool 10is welded onto the tool mounting plate 14 simultaneously with the pins18. The pins 18 have a small groove 99 to hold the spring 24. The toolmounting plate 14 is placed on the drive plate 12 by simply pushing thepins 18 into the designated holes 98. Removing can be done by eitherpulling or pushing from the reverse side the tool mounting plate 14.

The mechanism does not require any additional tools for removal andreplacing. It also gives the opportunity to use many combinations ofsegments and many configurations

Alternatives understandable by those skilled in the art includedifferent types of pins (length, width, material) different spring-typewashers, different quantity of pins, different surfaces can be usedinstead of abrasive material, and different sized plates to accommodatevarious sizes of abrasive or polishing materials.

In another embodiment, referring to FIGS. 6 a to 6 e, the intermediateelement is a ring 30 to hold the tool mounting plate 14. Magnets 32 andpins 34 are attached to the drive plate 12. The pins 34 prevent the ring30 from moving as they are shaped and sized to fit in their respectiveholes 36 in the ring 30. The magnets 32 keep the ring 30 attached to thedrive plate 12.

The tooling plate 30 includes high strength N40 neodymium magnets 32that are placed in relation to where the abrasive tools 10 can beinserted. Previous designs using a ring 30 without the magnets causedthe tooling segments 10 to droop and/or tilt out of their intendedpositions so that the tools 10 would wear irregularly and would alsocause undesirable heavy tool marks. The magnets 32 are recessed into thering 30 so that the ring 30 bears the weight of the machine 100 and themagnets 32 support the tooling segments 10 and prevent the toolingsegments 10 from falling out or tilting during operation. The magnets 32themselves have countersunk holes (not shown) in the middle to allow forthem to be screwed into the plate 30. The strength of the magnets 32 istypically strong enough to make tool-less removal difficult. To addressthis, embodiments of the invention provide an alternative method oftooling segment extraction. In this embodiment, slots 46 areincorporated into the plate design to allow for a screwdriver to extractthe tooling segment from off of the plate. A tooling segment wire formspring can be added, but the inventors have found this to be unnecessaryas the magnets 32 provide enough strength to hold the tooling segments10 in place.

FIGS. 6 b and 6 c show some possible dimensions of that can be used inthe manufacture of ring 30. FIG. 6 e illustrates this embodiment mountedto a Werkmaster™ machine.

In another embodiment, referring to FIG. 7, uses a solid circularbracket 40 as the intermediate element. The bracket 40 includes a pin41. The tool mounting plate 14 is now shaped to slide into bracket 40and to include pin hole 42 and it is turned to snap into place. It isheld by pin 41 with a spring attached to its back (not shown). The pin41 slides into the designated hole in the tool mounting plate 14preventing it from turning and slipping off.

Thus has been described a system for mounting an abrasive tool to adrive plate of a polisher or grinding tool. Each embodiment includes anintermediate element mounted to one surface of the drive plate and thenthe abrasive tool is mounted to the intermediate element. In this way,the abrasive tool can be quickly changed or replaced. The abrasive toolis securely fastened to the intermediate element, which is mounted tothe drive plate in such a way that it too can be quickly changed. Asmentioned above, embodiments of the invention are ideally suited for useon a Werkmaster™ machine.

The drive plate may have mounted thereon 1 or more intermediate elementsas needed, and 1 or more abrasive tools may be used.

It will be appreciated that all dimensions provided are exemplary only.It will also be understood that the machine could be any suitable typeof grinding or polishing machine, including machines used on the flooror machines used on countertop.

Numerous modifications may be made without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

We claim:
 1. A system for mounting an abrasive tool to a drive plate ofa grinding or polishing machine, the system comprising: an intermediateelement mounted to a surface of the drive plate via a first securingmeans; and a second securing means for securing the abrasive tool to theintermediate element, wherein the intermediate element is a circularbracket and the second securing element comprises rotary slotattachment.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the intermediate elementis a tool mounting plate and the second securing means is at least onepin and spring assembly.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the springcomprises a spring-type washer.
 4. The system of claim 2, wherein thespring is made from steel.
 5. The system of claim 2, wherein the plateis sized and shaped to accommodate the polisher or grinding tool.
 6. Thesystem of claim 2, wherein the abrasive material is affixed to the onesurface via a hook and loop system.
 7. The system of claim 1, whereinthe intermediate element is a ring and the second securing elementcomprises magnets and pins.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the driveplate is sized and shaped to accommodate a Werkmaster™ grinding andpolishing machine.